grinninfoole

I have been looking back at 2006 while looking ahead to 2007.  We shall see where this year takes me.

First, looking back:  I completed  some of my resolutions for last year, and started others.  (click here if you'd care to see for yourself http://grinninfoole.livejournal.com/2006/01/04/) ; I have completed the primary goal of getting a job that pays adequately, working full time at Modern Myths.  After the disappointment of not getting the upcoming full-time position, Lefty and I talked about the financial particulars of how I get paid, and we have worked out an arrangement wherein I am off the books as an hourly employee, and now get guaranteed payments as an owner.  In practical terms, this means that, for about the same cost to the store, I get paid more than $1.50 more hour, which will cover the mortgage and a bit more, which I think will be adequate.  It's not a solution for the rest of my days, but this will be the first time in my life I have earned my own keep, so I claim victory and depart the field.

I have also accomplished the contingent goals of marriage and home-ownership.  The other goals are more open-ended: I didn't exercise every day last year, but I did exercise some days.  I didn't play much with Feisty, but we did get her a playmate.  I didn't write a book, but I did start writing one.  So, while I sat down to write this feeling like a failure, on reflection I see that I was actually quite successful last year.  Hurray!  And damn this self-criticism!

So, for 2007:

1) Finish my book (first draft, at least).  I have started writing a novel, probably a fantasy novel, though in heart it feels more like SF. The world needs it like a hole in the head, but I'm doing it anyway.

2) Keep exercising.

3) Stop falling back on damaging behavior when I feel upset, like eating lots of sugar and dairy.

4) Read 50 books this year.

I'd like to learn Spanish, but I don't know when I'd make the time for it, now that I'm working full-time and writing.  I list this here not as a goal, but an aspiration.  I shan't give up on this.

This goals list seems thin as I look it over.  I must give it more thought.

(Can I pick exciting titles or what?)

millari and I worked very hard getting ready for our wedding last week.  She did the hardest stuff, I think, arranging the food and music, and doing the lion's share of creating the table decorations.  I took the lead on travel arrangements, finding a JP and legal paperwork, managing the guest list and invitations, and the rehearsal dinner.  I did also do a lot of puttering around the house, cleaning, hauling, yard work type stuff. We made most of the big decisions together.  Overall, it was a team effort, and I'm very satisfired with how it all turned out.

In fact, we did such a good job of arranging things in advance that we actually had time for some fun last week.  The previous weekend, Lefty graciously covered my Saturday evening shift while MAMEd, Crafty, Millari, wolfy and my brother shanghaied me to a murder mystery dinner theater in Boston.  The theater was mediocre but the food was quite tasty, and I really appreciated the thoughtfulness of it all, so hooray for my friends.  (As an aside, I hope MAMEd knows how much I value his friendship and all that he, Crafty and their kids have done to help us with the wedding.  It seems astonishing that, at first, I had thought that Crafty didn't like or approve of me.)

So, Sunday was mow the lawn, run the errands, make the table decorations, pick gifts for the registries, make sure we invited everyone we could fit for the rehearsal dinner (even taking advantage of some late arrivals by friends and family to include some folks we just couldn't invite to the wedding for lack of space, there were still folks we couldn't invite.  Oh, so frustrating.) 

Monday, I worked as usual.  Tuesday, I took delivery of the new futon and took apart my old platform bed (which is now for sale, and I should advertise it somewhere).  Wednesday, after an enormous shipment of new comics at the store,  M and I moved her drums to the basement and then did other stuff I can't recall, and then drove out to M's father's restaurant in Newton where we met my friend Rob, who had flown in from London.  Papi and Mami were there eating when we arrived, and offered a wonderful welcome to our friend when he joined us.  (He'd never had good Mexican food before, so I think he enjoyed it.  I indulged in the Pollo a la Pimienta--so creamy, so good...)

Thursday was a visit to the Science Museum, seeing old favorites like the atom smasher/lightning show, and enjoying the nifty exhibit on pattern recognition and perception and a 3D movie with images from Mars taken by the Spirit and Opportunity rovers.  The blurb does not, in any way, convey how moving it is to listen to the scientists from NASA talk about their work and then see some of it in 3D.  It brought tears to my eyes and helped me recall why I ever wanted to study science and its history.  If you get the chance, see this show.  (gfish I'm thinking of you in particular.)  Then, we went to see Jade Moran and picked up our wedding rings.  Mine is a broad rose gold band with a leaf and vine design and an inset cabochon cut jade (perhaps not the swankiest stone, but I wanted a rich green color, and something durable.)  The tiara wasn't quite done, but she dropped that off on Saturday, so Millari wore it (and looked wonderful) on the day.  Pictures of it will be on the site someday.)

Thursday evening we rushed back home so we could see our hometown fireworks.  Only, I somehow read the date as 2006 when it was actually 2002.  But, we had a lovely late night snack at the Sierra Grill (too new for a website), and ran into N & J, and had a lovely chat with them.  (I should add that the week before, they had taken us to the Iron Horse to see a great show by the band Devotchka.  I recommend them.)  Friday, we did more getting the place ready for a big party stuff, like hauling lots of trash, and finally setting up my old futon (which M has stained a lovely chestnut color) on the front porch.  Friday night fuschia came over to help with the party favors, and then there was dinner at India Palace and ice cream at Herrell's, followed by food coma back at the house and finally getting to see Dalek and then showing off some Venture Brothers.  (Second season is growing on me.)

Saturday, things started to come together in that snowball-rolling-down-hill sort of way.  Taylor rental dropped off the tent, tables, plates, cutlery and such.  Papi and Mami showed up with a serving dishes, wine glasses, sangria, beer, wine, food (chiles in nogada!), and then spent hours setting it up for us, effectively catering our wedding for us (and the yankee in me really appreciates how much money this saved us).  I spent much of the day answering the phone and the door (everyone asked me if I was nervous yet), stole a few moments to write my vows, and then Rob and I went out and bought champagne, got horchata from La Veracruzana, borrowed tables from the store (thanks, Lefty), and did more stuff I can't even recall.  Then, we went to the rehearsal dinner at the Tavern On The Hill, which was a marvelous feast.  (It's all good food, but I particularly recommend the Equinox Farm salad for the delicious novelty of vanilla salad dressing.)

Many friends and family were there, but I was especially pleased to see my uncle from Hawaii.  In years past, there have been some awkward moments, but this past weekend was just wonderful, as he was funny and charming, but also helpful, loving and thoughtful.  (Actually, he may not have changed at all. It might just have been me all along.)  Anyway, I'm so glad he flew out to join us.  (He brought leis for my mom, for Mami, and for Millari, which added an unlooked for element of grace and charm to the event.)

The dinner started at 7pm, and at 10:30 I dashed out of there to drive down to Bradley airport to pick up G,F&Z from Tucson.  I took them out for a late dinner at the diner and a little time together, then a quick tour of the house, a browse of the shelves at Modern Myths so I could buy some manga for Z, then finally to the hotel.  It was lovely to see them, and I'm sorry that their big move only allowed them to be here for 36 hours. 

And then came Sunday.